NewsBreak

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a statewide bell-to-bell cell phone ban into law, affecting every public school student in the Sunflower State.

Gov. Kelly says she signed Senate Substitute for Substitute for House Bill 2299, making Kansas one of the latest states to adopt a statewide “bell-to-bell” ban on student device use.

What the Law Requires

Starting in the fall of 2026, the bill requires all Kansas public schools and accredited private schools to bar students from using personal electronic devices.

The law requires the ban to last from the start of the school day through dismissal – including during class, lunch, recess and passing periods.

According to the legislation, banned devices include:

• Cell phones
• Tablets and personal computers
• Smartwatches
• Wireless headphones and earbuds
• Text messaging devices
• Personal digital assistants

Under the new law, students must turn off their devices and store them in a location away from their person. Schools are not liable for damage to or loss of stored devices.

Exceptions to the Ban

The law carves out limited exceptions. Students may use a personal device if:

• It is required under an Individualized Education Program or 504 plan
• A licensed physician has approved it as a medical necessity – and only as a last resort when no other option is available

Students may still contact a parent or guardian, according to the bill, but only on a school-provided phone. The ban does not apply to devices issued by school districts, such as Chromebooks.

Social Media Restrictions for Educators

The legislation also bars school employees from privately or directly communicating with students through social media platforms for official school purposes.

The bill provides that teachers may not require students to use social media for any assignment or extracurricular activity.

Schools may approve platforms for one-way, public communications – such as broadcasting school events – if those platforms meet specific privacy and monitoring requirements, according to the law.

What Schools Must Do – and When

The legislation requires each school district and accredited private school to:

1. Adopt policies and enforcement procedures consistent with the law
2. Submit certification of compliance to the Kansas State Board of Education by Sept. 1, 2026.

The law does not apply to virtual schools.

What Leaders Are Saying

Governor Kelly framed the law as a necessary response to the growing influence of technology on youth.

“In our rapidly changing world, technology dominates our lives, and that’s why it’s essential that we reduce distractions in the classroom,” she said. “We must have one uniform standard across the state to tackle this issue and set our students up for success. By banning cell phone use during the school day, we’re taking a commonsense approach to address the impact smartphones and social media have on Kansas children’s academic performance, learning environments, and mental health.”

Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi (R-Andale) said the issue hits close to home – he is a dad of four boys.

“As a father of four young boys, I see firsthand how today’s technology can affect kids’ ability to learn and grow,” Blasi stated. “I’m proud the legislature came together to pass a bill that puts Kansas kids first.”

Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes (D-Lenexa) called it a rare bipartisan win, pointing to research linking phone use to declining student mental health.

“We will look back on this moment and know that we took a step in the right direction to protect Kansas kids. Research has shown us that our students’ mental health, test scores, and concentration levels are negatively impacted by overuse of social media and cell phones,” she continued. “I am proud of the bipartisan work put into this bill, and the many discussions we have had with stakeholders, local officials, lawmakers, and the Governor’s office. It is time that we got cell phones out of Kansas classrooms. Our kids deserve policies that prioritize their health and strengthen their future, and that is what HB 2299 does.”

House Speaker Daniel Hawkins (R-Wichita) said the goal is simple – fewer distractions, better learning.

“For years, parents and teachers have raised concerns about the impact smartphones and social media are having in the classroom. This law is about putting students back in a position to succeed,” he added. “‘A bell-to-bell, no cell’ policy helps reduce distractions, improve engagement, and create a better learning environment for both students and teachers. This is an absolutely essential step forward for Kansas. Taking known distractions out of the classroom is a commonsense change that supports learning, strengthens classrooms, and helps students focus on what matters most during the school day.”

Representative Jason Goetz (R-Dodge City) cautioned that passing the bill is only the beginning – now comes the hard work of implementation.

“Senate Substitute for Substitute for HB 2299 is about setting a clear, student-centered standard—and then working hand-in-hand with our districts to implement it in a way that works for their communities,” said Representative Jason Goetz, District 119. “Because passing a bill is not the finish line. It’s the starting point. Our commitment moving forward is to partner with schools, to listen, to adjust where needed, and to make sure this policy works not just on paper—but in real classrooms, with real students.”

Representative Angela Martinez (D-Wichita) put it in the simplest terms – let kids be kids.

“This is about creating a school environment where kids can focus on learning, protect their mental health, and simply be kids again,” she concluded.

Critics Raise Concerns

Not everyone supports the new law. Senator Cindy Holscher (D-Overland Park) voted against it, arguing the measure overrides local control and places an unfunded burden on teachers.

“I share concerns about cell phones and social media in schools, but this law takes a heavy-handed approach,” she continued. “Over 90% of Kansas students are already in districts with policies in place, yet this new law overrides local control, imposes an unfunded mandate, and puts a burden on teachers without providing the necessary resources. Unfortunately, school leaders were ignored during the legislative process.”

Holscher urged the state to work closely with educators during implementation and called on the legislature to make adjustments if challenges arise.

Some parents also pushed back earlier in March. Rupal Gupta, a Blue Valley parent, told KCTV5 that she questions the added logistics:

“I don’t think that it makes any sense to add additional red tape at the beginning and end of the day.”

Another parent, Shabina Kavimandan, argued local communities – not state lawmakers – should set school policy:

“What may be a good policy in one place may not be a good policy in an adjoining school district. Because of that, our legislators don’t know what’s happening. I am not sending my daughter to be taught by a legislator. I am sending my daughter to be taught by teachers in the local community.”

What’s Next

Schools have until Sept. 1, 2026, to certify their compliance with the new policies, according to the statute. The law takes effect on publication in the Kansas statute book.

KCTV5 will continue to follow how local school districts plan to implement the new requirements.